Water Damage and Mold Growth Temporarily Close California Courthouse

LA Testing offers mold and other indoor air quality (IAQ) testing services to identify contaminants and pollutants in all types of buildings.

Huntington Beach, CA, August, 8th, 2016

A lack of building maintenance that resulted in water leaks at a local Northern California courthouse is being blamed for the temporary closure of the facility several months ago. To make matters worse, media reports have stated that mold was also discovered that could cause indoor air quality (IAQ) issues for the public and the court’s staff. In response, County officials moved legal proceeding to a courthouse in nearby Eureka, California.

Water damage and elevated humidity levels in an indoor environment can result in the growth of mold and indoor air quality concerns in a relatively short period of time. The presence of mold can cause a wide range of health concerns from triggering asthma in some people, causing allergies and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), and even resulting in infections in some people with a weakened or suppressed immune system.

Wet materials and surfaces can support the growth of mold in as short as 48 hours. Many building materials, furnishings and belongings provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow when moisture is present. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood and wood products are particularly conducive for the growth of some types of mold. Other materials such as dust, paint, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric and upholstery also commonly support mold growth.

“Anyone who is exposed to elevated levels of mold in the air they breathe could have a reaction,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Even people who were not sensitive to mold exposure initially can develop sensitivity over time, especially if they are exposed to it day after day in their work environment.”

LA Testing provides mold sampling supplies, test kits and comprehensive analyses to help protect building occupants from mold and other IAQ exposure concerns. They have also sponsored an educational video about health issues that can be caused by breathing mold that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/61eTg1WfJHo.

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, NVLAP, CDC ELITE, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including Huntington Beach, San Diego, San Leandro, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena.